Region: Spain
Climbing effort: 1518 cep
Elevation meters: 1268
Steepest kilometer: 17.6%

Steepest 250 m: 22%
Foot: 317 m    Top: 1556 m
Mean slope: 9.5%
Length: 13.0 km

From: La Vega (Riosa)
Road conditions (2022): average
Other race bikers: 5-10 per hour
Motor vehicles: <10 per hour
Scenery and road: (4/5)
Restaurant or bar near top: no

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Other climbs Spain

The climb from La Vega to El Angliru (the second and not the last syllable should be stressed) is probably Spain's most infamous climb. Since 1999 it has been climbed eight times (up to and including 2021) at the end of a Vuelta stage. In most cases the time differences between the competitors were considerable. This is not because of the number of elevation meters. There are 1268 of these in total, so nothing special. The reason is the 6 kilometer long section beginning 7 kilometers before the finish. In this section the average gradient of the road measures 13.7%, not a single 500-meter segment slopes less than 12% and two parts are significantly steeper. The first is located shortly after the start of those steep 6 kilometers and has a length of several hundred meters. Within this so-called Cuesta las Cabanes the road winds uphill with bends that succeed each other within short distances. The steepest 250 meter segment tilts 19%. The Cuesta las Cabanes is followed by 2.5 kilometers at mostly 12%, until the most famous section of the Angliru, La Cueña las Cabres, begins. That section includes a steepest kilometer at 17.6% and a steepest 250-meter segment at 22%. We was proud we managed this passage without dismounting. But we almost cheered too soon. A little less than a kilometer further one still has to overcome another very steep ramp (250 meters at 17%). Fortunately, we didn't fall during the climb, but that certainly wouldn't be unthinkable. One may fall sideways while cycling the Angliru one bikes too slowly, fall backwards when the front wheel comes up in a very steep section and one may slip on a cowpat. Before reaching those horribly steep 6 kilometers, the ascent begins with a 4.5 km long winding passage with a "normal slope" (mostly 8-9%), which is followed by a kilometer that is easy enough (1-6%) to recover a little and to reflect once more if one really goes for the big challenge. After those steep 6 kilometers it's a piece of cake to reach the finish at the parking lot. The road even descends a bit (net 17 meters). Finally, it should be noted that the surface of the narrow street is surprisingly good (in 2022).